Nelson Mandela remains in hospital despite reports of release

Media reports suggested Nelson Mandela had been released from hospital.

Getty Images: Chris Jackson

South Africa has denied media reports that anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital and had returned to his Johannesburg home.

The BBC and CNN reported the 95-year-old had left hospital for the first time since being admitted in June, but that has been contradicted by the office of the current president Jacob Zuma.

"Madiba is still in hospital in Pretoria, and remains in a critical but stable condition," Mr Zuma's spokesman said in a statement, denying reports from several news organisations that he had left the facility.

"At times his condition becomes unstable, but he responds to medical interventions."

During Mr Mandela's 80-plus days in hospital, the presidency through Marc Maharaj has been the official source of information about the condition of the 95-year-old anti-apartheid icon.

But updates have been infrequent and have offered few details, prompting frequent speculation.

At the end of July, Mr Zuma's office said Mr Mandela was continuing to show signs of improvement after scares were reported.

Mr Mandela was rushed to hospital on June 8 for a respiratory infection and has remained in critical condition for most of the time since.

His lung problems date back to his 27 years in apartheid jail, where he contracted tuberculosis as a political prisoner.

Madiba, as he is known by his clan name, has been in and out of hospital since last year, with lung related complications.